The Book of Numbers – Big or small God cares about it all

Numbers 27:1b “The names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah and Tirzah.”

These young women’s names are forever in scripture, remembered for their courage, their manner and the change they initiated.

Zelophehad’s daughters did not have any brothers, their father had died in the wilderness. The people were about to enter the promised land and a second census had just been taken for how the land would be distributed between each clan and families. Considering the time, this family would not receive their portion of the promised land, as the law was such that only a male heir could inherit. Without sons to inherit the land, their father’s name would be erased from among the rest of the clan. Take a moment and reflect on their situation, they must have felt quite lost and unseen with what their future held in the promised land.

These young women chose not to not accept their situation, just because this was how things were done. They showed initiative and courage by standing up for themselves and they did it with respect and dignity. They did not stir up any trouble about unfairness, they took their plight to Moses and all the leaders. They spoke honestly, advocating their case. There are times when we have to advocate for ourselves, and just like these women, may we do it with respect and grace.

How did Moses respond?

This whole situation, reveals a lot about Moses as a leader, the people felt confident to approach him and be heard.  Even though they were asking for something that was unheard of then, Moses does not disregard their plea. He also did not presume that things should remain as is, showing wisdom and humility he takes it to God. Moses continues to lean on God for wisdom and guidance every step and every decision he had to make. What a wonderful lesson for us here as we navigate our choices and decisions, may we always turn to God for his leading.

For anyone in the camp there, they would have seen and known that Moses always spoke to God and did what God asked him to. Knowing this, Zelophehad’s daughters knew that they were leaving their fate in the Lord’s hands. This points us to a beautiful lesson in surrendering to God. Surrender does not mean we do nothing, but instead, do all we can and leave the rest in God’s hands. Zelophehad’s daughters, changed things not only for them but also for future generations of women.

In this situation we might think it might be easier to let go, as they took their plea to Moses, he was a man of God who listened to what God had to say. What do we do when in life we do not always find ourselves in a position under godly leadership. There is this urge to want to control things more then as we struggle to trust that the person will do what is right. But let us take encouragement from scripture of people like Joseph and Daniel, who did not always find themselves under authority that feared or followed God but God was always there for them. May we too in such moments remember that our circumstances are never above God but he is always above and in control of them.  

Numbers 27: 12-14 “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go up this mountain in the Abarim Range and see the land I have given the Israelites. After you have seen it, you too will be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was, for when the community rebelled at the waters in the Desert of Zin, both of you disobeyed my command to honor me as holy before their eyes.” (These were the waters of Meribah Kadesh, in the Desert of Zin.)”

While Zelophehad’s daughters were ensuring that their father’s name and inheritance would remain when they entered the promised land, we do not read here of Moses asking God to reconsider allowing him to enter the promised land. But rather we see God speak to Moses about showing him a glimpse of the promised land from afar, the top of a mountain. Even though Moses faltered at the Desert of Zin and disobeyed God, he was a good and faithful servant and we see God shows him kindness by allowing him to get a glimpse of the promised land.  

Although Moses is facing the reality of seeing the promised land only from afar and never entering it, the focus on his heart was towards the Israelites and their need for a leader, a shepherd after him.

Num 27:15-17 “Moses said to the Lord,“May the Lord, the God who gives breath to all living things, appoint someone over this community to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the Lord’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”

God instructs Moses to take Joshua to be the one to lead the people after him. Moses takes Joshua, stands him before the entire assembly, lays hands on him and commissions him to be the next leader.

Notice the way Moses refers to God in verse 15, “The Lord who gives breath to all living things”  Moses words speaks of God’s sovereignty over everything. His words reflect the one who created everything and hold it all in his hands. His words seem to come from a place that enables one to have the right perspective when what we desire might not be what God has laid out for us. And possibly that reflects why Moses was able to not think only of himself as he stood on top of that mountain and viewed the promised land but instead his heart was for the people. A humbling reminder for us that when things do not pan out the way we hoped, fix your focus on the Lord and it enables us to have peace with his plan for us.

Through this passage, we see God care about personal matters (zelophehad’s daughters), tending to the heart of Moses (giving him a glimpse of the promised land) and a matter pertaining to the entire people (Moses’s successor). He is a God who looks after not just the big issues but also the heart issues and every little detail of our lives.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your word and this beautiful lesson from Zelophehad’s daughters that you care about every detail of our lives. Give us the courage to take initiative, to do what we can, not to try and control everything but to surrender and leave it in your hands. Lord, like Moses, may we always seek you for guidance, not lean on our own understanding but with wisdom and humility lean on you.  Lord, like Moses give us peace to rest in your plan for us, shape our desires to be in alignment with yours. May our lives bring you glory. Amen.